Cold Start Problems

[andyf]

I've been having trouble starting the Marlin on cold mornings. I thought it was down to a lack of cranking speed but this morning I figured out that it is only firing when I release the key, I'm thinking that I've got a fault in the ballast resistor Bypass circuit, so I'm going to have to trace it through the wiring loom when I get some more garage time.

[Dick]

The resistor only comes into play when you release the key the coils should have 12 volts when cranking and drop back to 6 when the key is released, it was common to feed the coil from the starter on start up to give it the 12v only while cranking. So if it starts when you release the key it wont be the resistor side it will be the 12 volt feed. Just saying

[steve m]

If, you do have a ballast wire installed, then be wary if you swop coils around, as when I built my car, I disposed of the ballast wire, and had a lovely driving car, until about an hour into every journey it would break down, and refuse to start, yep, the 9volt coil was getting cooked, as it was getting 12volts constantly , and not the 9volts it was expecting via the ballast wire

So an easy way to check what system you have, will be a volt meter on the coil and earth with the ignition on, will give 9 volts if ballasted, and 12volts if not
and with the ignition switched on and to start mode, will give 12volts
If so, you will need a ballasted coil

steve

[andyf]

Thanks guys. It's definitely got a ballast resistor. I had to replace the original that came with the escort loom with a separate land rover resistor. I'll have a look in the morning and see what voltage I'm getting at the coil.

[andyf]

Got it fixed this morning. Turned out to be the relay that feeds 12v to the coil on star up. Having replaced it she starts like a goodun

£8 for a relay is cheaper than the geared starter I was considering...